Gauge support

ABSTRACT

A gauge support or mounting for a gauge which automatically puts the gauge on and removes the gauge from successive workpieces in synchronous relation with the operations of a machine tool on the workpieces. The gauge is held continuously on the workpiece during the grinding or other operation to continuously indicate the progress of such operation. At the conclusion of the machine operation on the workpiece, the machine tool is retracted from the workpiece and the gauge is simultaneously withdrawn from engagement with the workpiece. When a new workpiece is inserted in position on the machine, the tool is shifted into working contact with the workpiece, and the gauge is simultaneously moved into gauging engagement with the workpiece. The movement of the gauge on the support or mounting toward and away from the workpiece is accomplished automatically and in response to the corresponding movements of the machine tool.

United States Patent [15] 3,663,190 Fisk [451 May 16, 1972 GAUGE SUPPORT72 inventor: James c. Fisk, 0-3219 East Bristol Rd., [57] ABSTRACTFlint, Mich. 48507 A gauge support or mounting for a gauge whichautomatically [22] Filmy A r 22 I970 puts the gauge on and removes thegauge from successive p workpieces in synchronous relation with theoperations of a [2|] Appl. No.: 30,813 machine tool on the workpieces.The gauge is held continuously on the workpiece during the grinding orother operation to continuously indicate the progress of such operation.At the (gl 524112323: conclusion of the machine operation on theworkpiece, the [58] n i 51/165 74 machine tool is retracted from theworkpiece and the gauge is e simultaneously withdrawn from engagementwith the workpiece. When a new workpiece is inserted in position on the[56] Rderenm cued machine, the tool is shifted into working contact withthe UNITED STATES PATENTS workpiece, and the gauge is simultaneouslymoved into gauging engagement with the workpiece. The movement of thegauge on the suppon or mounting owa d and away from [he l FlSk X workiece is a complished automatically and in response Primary Examiner-Lester M. Swingle Attorney-Burton and Parker the corresponding movementsof the machine tool.

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PATENTED MAY 16 I972 ATTORNEYS GAUGE SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention lies in the general field of gauges and supporting ormounting means therefor, and more particularly relates to a support forwhat is commonly tenned an Upright Grinding Gauge used to continuouslymeasure the diameter of a workpiece while it is being ground on aconventional grinding machine. A gauge of the character contemplated foruse with the device of the instant invention is disclosed in my priorU.S. Pat. No. 3,352,022. Such a gauge is in gauging contact with theworkpiece to indicate the process of the grinding operation, andcomprises an elongate body portion having a lower end portion shaped todefine a C-shaped hook for embracing a workpiece, the hook including afixed contact and a movable contact engaging diametrically opposedpoints on the workpiece surface. The upper end of the gauge is providedwith means upon which is mounted a dial indicator for ready observationof the operation by the machine operator.

After the grinding operation is completed, the grinding wheel isretracted from the workpiece, and the gauge is swung away from workpiececontact to permit removal of the workpiece from the machine. Whenanother workpiece has been inserted in position to be ground the gaugeis moved into gauging contact therewith and the grinding wheel isshifted against the workpiece to start another operation. The movementof the grinding wheel toward and away from the workpiece is accomplishedby drive means internal to the machine. In the past, the gauge has beenpivotally mounted on a stationary part of the machine, and the operatorshifted the gauge manually into and out of engagement with theworkpiece.

In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,873 there is shown a gauge support for agauge of the character above described, including means forautomatically shifting the gauge to and from the workpiece in timedrelation to the movement of the grinding wheel into and out of grindingcontact. The instant invention is an improvement on the developmentshown in such patent, and is particularly directed toward the provisionof a more simple and foolproof mechanism which is capable of reliableoperation in a production environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A gauge support for a machine tool comprisingan arm swingably connected to the machine and supporting the gauge atits outer end, motor means mounted for engagement with the arm to shiftthe arm carrying the gauge toward a working position, and spring meansbiasing the arm in a direction tending to swing it and the gauge awayfrom the workpiece to an at rest position, the arm having means foradjusting the relative position between the arm and machine at oppositeextremities of motor means travel.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a gauge supportupon which a gauge may be mounted for movement toward and away from awork piece in a machine tool, the support having means for automaticallyshifting the gauge in its movement in timed relation with the movementof the machine tool, and including an adjustability feature forconveniently changing the angular relationship between the gauge bodyand the machine.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features will more fullyappear from the following specification, claims and accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevation of a gauge support embodying the invention,together with an upright grinding gauge mounted on the support, showingthe gauge in workpiece engaging position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 1 showing the gauge in its atrest position;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevation showing the details of construction of thesupport arm motor means coupling; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the fluid pressure system forcontrolling the movement of the gauge support.

Turning now to a more particular examination of the drawings, there isshown in FIG. 1 a workpiece W in engagement with a grinding wheel G,which is a part of a conventional grinding machine. The machine itselfhas not been shown, as it is of well known construction and itself formsno part of the instant invention. The workpiece W is mounted on a partof the machine for rotation in a preselected relationship to thegrinding wheel G. Also provided in the machine is means for rotating thegrinding wheel at high speed, and a slide upon which the wheel issupported, the slide being connected to a fluid pressure motor operableto shift the wheel toward and away from the workpiece. Generally theinitial movement of the wheel G toward workpiece W is at a rapid rate,and when closely adjacent the workpiece, wheel traverse is slowed togently and accurately contact the work. Wheel traverse away from theworkpiece is rapid throughout its movement.

Mounted on a stationary part of the grinding machine is a gauge supportassembly generally indicated at 20 which includes a mounting bracket 22having a central aperture 24 therethrough for securing the supportassembly 20 to the machine as by means of a bolt or the like extendingthrough the aperture and threaded into a part of the machine. Spacedaround aperture 24 are a plurality of smaller threaded apertures 26, inthis case three, for accommodating screws or the like which project intoengagement with a surface on the machine and may be threadedly adjustedto dispose the bracket 22 and thus the entire support assembly 20 inexact predetermined position with respect to the grinding wheel G.

The upper end of bracket 22 is provided with a generally horizontallydisposed flat face 28 atop which is positioned a mounting body 30 havinga corresponding surface engaging face 28. Body 30 is secured to bracket22 by means of a screw or the like 32 threaded into the bracket, and byloosening the screw 32, the body may be rotatably adjusted with respectto the bracket. A gauge 34, commonly referred to as an upright grindinggauge, is mounted on the body 30 by four generally trapezoidallyarranged arms 36, 38, 40 and 42, as shown in FIG. 1. Member 36 may betermed a supporting arm, as it carries at its outer end mechanism towhich the gauge is coupled, while member 38 will be referred to as aswing post, member 40 as a swing link, and member 42 as a swing lever.

Supporting arm 36 is pivotally connected to body 30 at one end on anaxis shown at 44 in FIG. 1, and is pivotally connected at its oppositeend to a generally U shaped gauge mounting bracket 46 at 48. Bracket 46includes a projecting ear portion 50 defining a clevis-like frictionclutch for securing swing post 38 to the bracket, and such arrangementpermits the post to be longitudinally adjustable with respect to thebracket, for a purpose which will be further explained later. Swing link40 is pivoted at opposite ends to post 38 and lever 42 on pivots 52 and54 respectively, while the end of swing lever 42 opposite its connectionwith link 40 is pivoted to body 30 as shown at 56.

The gauge 34 shown in the drawings is of the type and construction shownin my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,022, and generally includes a headportion 58 and an elongate body portion 60 rigidly telescoped together.The head portion 58 supports a dial indicator 62 having its dial facedisposed upwardly and forwardly for easy reading by a workman. The lowerend of the gauge is shaped to define a caliper means including a fixedcontact 64 and a movable contact 66 engaging the workpiece atdiametrically opposite points to measure workpiece diameter, and anotherfixed locating contact 68 which serves to position the workpieceproperly between contacts 64 and 66. Movable contact 66 is coupledthrough mechanism inside the gauge body to the dial indicator 62 toprovide a continuous workpiece diameter reading throughout the grindingoperation.

The linkage upon which the gauge 34 is mounted, comprising the members36, 38, 40 and 42, is actuated to shift the gauge from its operativeposition shown in FIG. I to its at rest position shown in FIG. 2 throughfluid pressure operated motive means mounted on the body 30. Basically,the motive means comprises a pair of fluid pressure operated motors,associated valves, and fluid passages contained within a manifold block70, which parts are shown schematically in FIG. 5, and will be describedas to functional operation hereinafter.

Manifold block 70 is removably mounted on the body 30 and is providedwith porting and internal passageways to deliver fluid under pressure tothe various valves and motors which are also disposed therein. Threefluid pressure lines are connected through suitable fittings as shown tomanifold block 70, and furnish fluid supply and exhaust thereto, as setforth in detail later. A first reciprocable fluid pressure motor M-l inmanifold 70 (FIGS. 4 and 5) has a piston 72 connected to a piston rod 74(FIGS. 4 and 5) with the piston rod having a clevis-shaped extremity 76to rotatably support a roller 77. At the end of rod 36 opposite itsconnection to gauge 34, there is fixedly mounted a rotor assembly 78,which is an extension of the rod and is pivotally coupled to body 30 onthe axis 44. Assembly 78 includes a support 82 having a split sleeve 84at one end rigidly clamped to rod 36 by a screw 86, and a pair ofparallel extensions at its opposite end, one of which is shown at B8 inFIG. 4. A pivot pin 90 extending between the extensions serves tosupport one end of a curved cam member 92, the opposite end of which isadjustable with respect to the support 82 by a threaded rod 94 extendingthrough the free end 96 of the cam which bears against a shelf-likeportion 98 of the support. A light spring (not shown) may be utilized tourge cam 92 in a direction to maintain contact between rod 94 andportion 98 of the support. Because of its configuration and locationwith respect to the axis of the piston rod 74 and arm 36, angularrepositioning of cam 92 by means of adjusting screw 94 changes theangular position of arm 36, and hence the position of gauge 34, at agiven position in the travel of the fluid pressure motor M-I as definedby roller 77.

A second fluid pressure operated reciprocable motor M-2 is locatedwithin manifold block 70 and includes two axially aligned cylinders 100and 102 each having a piston I04 and I06 with a piston rod I08 and 110connected to the pistons and projecting toward each other coaxially andspaced apart at their inner ends a predetermined distance. Intermediateits opposite ends, swing lever 42 has a laterally projecting pin 112engaged in a slot (not shown) cut in manifold block 70. Alternatepressurization of cylinders I00 and I02 causes shifting of pistons I04and 106 to move piston rods I08 and 110 into engagement with pin I12 toswing the lever 42 about its point of pivotal connection shown at 56, asfurther explained herebelow. The manifold block 70, which contains allof the fluid pressure controls, may be secured to body or bracket 30 asby screws or the like, and by removing such screws and disconnecting thefluid pressure liners leading to the block, it may be convenientlyremoved and replaced in the event of damage or malfunction.

As depicted in FIG. 3 most clearly, gauge 34 is positioned laterallyoffset the structure of the supporting mechanism above described, and iscoupled to bracket 46 by means of a plurality of rods or the like I16connected to the gauge head portion 58 at one end and projecting throughsuitable apertures I18 in the bracket to permit lateral adjustment ofthe gauge 34 relative to the support 20 in order to exactly align thecalipers at the lower end of the gauge with the workpiece being ground.

Referring back to FIG. I, it can be seen that when the gauge 34 is inits operative position engaging workpiece W, which is in contact withgrinding wheel G, support arm 36 is in a substantially horizontalposition. In this orientation of the parts, piston rod 74 of motor M-lis extended and bears against cam 92, holding the assembly in thearrangement illustrated in FIG. 1. In order to maintain fixed contact 64at the lower end of the gauge in firm contact with the workpiece W,there is provided a flat, helically wound spring 120 having one endconnected to the shaft 44 upon which arm 36 is mounted, and the otherend connected to a portion of the body 30. Housing I22 covers spring 120to prevent contaminants from getting into it. Spring exerts a clockwisebias on shaft 44 as shown in FIG. 1, tending to rotate arm 36 in aclockwise direction, which bias is transmitted through the gauge 34 tourge stationary contact 64 generally upwardly into firm contact withworkpiece W. In addition, spring 120 serves to provide the forcenecessary to pivot the assembly and shift the gauge 34 from itsoperative position shown in FIG. 1 to its inoperative or at restposition shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 when the motor is reversed to retractpiston rod 74.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 5, the mechanical structure ofthe device shown schematically therein has been reversed from theshowing in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a portion of the swing linkage and motorM-2 has been displaced to make the schematic more easily understandable.The operation of the mechanism will now be described with primaryemphasis on FIG. 5 and with reference to the remaining Figures of thedrawings where necessary to make the description complete. Thedirections of movement of the various parts of the device will all bemade with reference to FIG. 5, however.

The movement of the gauge 34 between its at rest and operative positionsis essentially a two phase movement, wherein during the major portion ofits travel the gauge is swung about pivot point 44 by motor M-l and/orspring 120, depending upon the direction of movement, and during a minorpart of the travel, i.e., in the immediate area of the workpiece W, thegauge is swung about pivot 48 by motor M-2. In FIG. 5 the gauge 34 isshown in an intermediate position between opposite extremities of itstravel.

An hydraulic system will be assumed in the following discussion, and hasbeen used in practice because such is generally used in the industry ingrinding machine control, although it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that other types of motivation for the structure might beemployed. Shown in FIG. 5 along the lower edge thereof are three lines,labelled EXH., which is an exhaust line; P-2, which is a pressure linecoupled to the pressure line of the grinding machine which providespower to shift the grinding wheel G toward the workpiece W (FIG. I); andP-I, which is connected to a source of fluid under a constant pressure.Line P-I is pressurized at all times, while line P-2 is pressurized onlyduring the interval that the grinding wheel control cylinder (not shown)is also pressurized to move the wheel toward the workpiece and maintainit in contact with the workpiece during the actual grinding operation,then is connected to exhaust as grinding wheel G is retracted.

Also shown schematically in FIG. 5 are the valve means for controllingthe flow of fluid pressure to the motors M-1 and M-2. Such valves arepositioned within the manifold block 70, but are not shown in FIGS. [-3in the interest of clarity. The valve identified as V-I in FIG. 5 is theprimary coordination valve for coordinating the gauge and grindingmachine functions. Valve V2 is the working coordination valve. ValvesV-3 and V-4 are the reversing valves for motors M-1 and M-2respectively, and these two valves are axially opposed and biased by acommon spring toward opposite ends of the valve housing, as shown. V-Sis a ball check valve, while V-6 is a poppet valve which is held closedby a spring and mechanically opened by piston 72 of motor M-l. ValvesV-7 and V-8 are throttle check valves controlling the exhaust atopposite ends of motor M-I, and V-9 is a similar valve controllingexhaust from one end of motor M-2.

Assuming that the gauge and support are in the at rest or park positionshown in FIG. 2, and that the grinding machine control has been actuatedto shift the grinding wheel toward a workpiece positioned in the machinefor grinding, pressurization of the hydraulic motor on the machine tomove the wheel will also pressurize line P-2. This pressurizes line 124to shift valve V-l from the position shown to the opposite end of itsstroke, and also admits pressure fluid through check valve V-S, andlines 126 and I28 to valve V-2, which is spring biased to the positionshown and passes the fluid through lines I30 and 132 to valves V-3 andV-4 respectively. As these two valves are biased by spring 134 to thepositions shown, both valves are open to the passage of fluidtherethrough, and lines 136 and 138 are thereby pressurized to supplyfluid to the upper end of motor M-I and the right-hand end of cylinderI02 of motor M-2 respectively.

Pressurization of motor M-I shifts piston 72, extending piston rod 74 topivot arm 36, swinging the arm and gauge 34 about pivot 44 from theposition shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in dotted outline at 34'in FIG. I. During this interval, pressurization of the right-hand end ofcylinder I02 of motor M-2 has retained swing lever 42 in its positionshown in FIG. 5, and therefore when motor M-l has completed its travel,the swing linkage members 38 and 40 are in their positions shown indotted outline in FIG. I at 38' and 40' (the link 42 in this positionlying behind manifold block 70), and the gauge is in its positionimmediately adjacent the workpiece W as shown at 34'.

At the completion of its travel downwardly as shown in FIG. 5, thepiston 72 of motor M-I passes the entry port of line 140 to thecylinder, thereby establishing communication between line I40 andalready pressurized line 136. As valve V-I has previously been shiftedby pressure in line I24, fluid passes from line 140 through such valveinto line 142, which acts against valve V-4 to shift it against the biasof spring 134. When valve V-4 shifts, communication is establishedthrough it between line 132 and line I44, which pressurizes the lefthandend of cylinder 100 to shift piston I04 and piston rod I08 to pivotswing lever 42 clockwise as shown in FIG. 5, which is counterclockwiseas shown in FIG. 1. This shifts the members 38 and 40 (and also link 42,obscured by manifold block 70) from their dotted outline positions asshown in FIG. I to their solid outline positions, in turn swinging thegauge into operative position with its caliper engaging workpiece W.

An important feature of the construction shown is that when piston I04reaches the extreme right-hand end of its stroke, it uncovers the portof line I46 which communicates with valve V-2. This serves to shift thevalve against its spring, establishing communication from pressure lineP-2 to the end actuator of the valve, shifting the valve all the way,thereby blocking line 146 and blocking line 128, while at the same timeconnecting lines I30 and I32 to exhaust line EXH, through line 148. Thisexhausts all motor functions of both motors M-1 and M2 as well as valvesV-3 and V4, and isolates fluid pressure supplied through pressure lineP-2 from all the system components except the actuators of valves V-Iand V-2, which are both retained in their actuated or up position asviewed in FIG. 5, valve V-2 then being supplied through line I24. Withpressure removed from motor M-I, spring 120 acts on arm 36 (see FIG. 1),and this force is transmitted through the gauge 34 to maintain intimatecontact of stationary contact 64 with workpiece W to insure maximumaccuracy of the reading on dial indicator 62 as measured by contacts 64and 66. Lines I36, I40 and 156 from motor M-l are all connected toexhaust, as are lines I38, 144, I52 and I54 from motor M-2 through line150.

When the grinding operation is complete, pressure is removed from thegrinding machine control cylinder which advances the grinding wheeltoward the workpiece and maintains it in contact therewith, which alsodepressurizes line P-2 of FIG. 5. The grinding wheel is then retractedfrom the workpiece by the machine control. Depressurization of line P-2removes pressure against valves V--] and V2, and they therefore arespring returned to their normal positions shown in FIG. 5. As line P-Ihas been supplied with fluid at constant pressure throughout, removal ofpressure from line P-2 permits line 126 to be pressurized from pressureline P-l through valve V-6, previously opened by downward movement ofpiston 72 of motor M-I, thereby pressurizing line I36 via line 130 andline 138 via line 132. Pressurization of line 136 maintains piston rod74 of motor MI in its fully extended position, while pressure in lineI38 drives piston I06 in cylinder 102 to pivot swing lever about pivot56, indexing gauge 34 away from the workpiece W to its position shown indotted outline at 34 in FIG. I. As piston I06 moves, it exposes the portin its cylinder I02 connected to line 152, thus pressurizing such linethereby pressurizing line I58 through valve V-I to actuate valve V-3,shifting it down as viewed in FIG. 5. When valve V-3 shifts,communication is established between line and line I56, supplyingpressure to the lower end of motor M-I, thereby retracting piston rod 74and permitting gauge 34 to be raised to its "park" position shown inFIG. 2 by spring 120. At the extremity of its travel, piston 72, byvirtue of its undercut I60, releases spring loaded valve V-6, and thevalve closes, interrupting communication between pressure line P-I andline I26. The system is now at rest in the position depicted in FIG. 3,in condition for initiation of another cycle of operation.

It should be noted that the so-called throttle valves V-7, V-8 and V-9perform an important function during the operation of motors M-1 andM-2. Each of these valves is constructed to permit unrestricted flowinto its respective cylinder end but to restrict or throttle the flowout of the cylinder. Thus during movement of piston 72 of motor M-I ineither direction, valve V-7 or V-8 operates to restrict flow from thatend of the cylinder which is connected to exhaust, thus governing thevelocity of gauge movement to prevent damage to the delicate mechanism.Likewise, valve V-9 retards the speed of motor M-2 as it shifts thegauge into contact with the workpiece to prevent a sharp blow to themovable contact 66, which could result in damage to the dial indicator62. The opposite end of motor M-2 does not require this feature, asthere is virtually no possibility of injuring the parts as the gauge isindexed away from the workpiece.

The friction clutch connection between the swing post 38 and gaugemounting bracket 46 permits quick and convenient adjustment of theangular gauge position. Further, in the event of any miscoordinationduring operation of the gauge support, damage to the gauge and/or thesupport linkage is effectively prevented, because the connection willslip with the application of force thereagainst caused by malfunctionbefore the force reaches a level that could damage the mechanism.

I claim:

I. A gauge support for a machine tool having a tool engageable with aworkpiece, comprising: an elongate arm pivotally connectable to themachine tool adjacent one end thereof and supporting a gauge at itsopposite end for swingable movement toward and away from said workpiece,fluid pressure operated motor means to swing the arm toward theworkpiece, said motor means including a cylinder and piston having apiston rod projecting into engagement with the arm to shift the sameupon extension of the piston rod, and spring means coupled with the armbiasing it to a position away from the workpiece.

2. The gauge support as defined in claim I characterized in that saidmotor means comprises a double acting cylinder and piston with itspiston rod extensible to shift said arm and retractable to permit returnof the arm under the force of said spring means.

3. The gauge support as defined in claim 1 characterized in that cammeans is positioned on said arm, and said piston rod carries a roller atits outer end engaging said cam means to shift the arm toward aworkpiece.

4. The gauge support as defined in claim 3 characterized in that saidcam means is adjustable with respect to said arm for varying therelative positions of said arm and piston rod when the motor means is atits limits of travel.

5. The gauge support as defined in claim 4 characterized in that saidcam means comprises an elongate cam member pivotally connected at oneend to said arm having adjustable stop means at its opposite end forselectively varying the position of the cam member with respect to thearm.

6. The gauge support as defined in claim I characterized in that saidfluid pressure cylinder includes adjustable throttle valve means coupledthereto for selectively varying the rate of fluid flow to thereby varythe rate of movement of said arm.

7. An automatic gauge support for a machine tool having workpieceholding means and a tool shiftable into and out of engagement with theworkpiece, comprising: a bracket adapted to be fixedly mounted on themachine tool, an arm pivotally coupled to said bracket at one end andhaving means at its opposite end for swingably supporting a gauge, cammeans adjustably mounted on said arm intermediate its ends, a fluidpressure operated motor including a cylinder and piston having a pistonrod projecting into engagement with said cam means for shifting the armbetween an at rest position remote the workpiece and a working positionadjacent the workpiece upon actuation of said fluid pressure operatedmotor, a gauge supported at said opposite end of said arm, linkage meansconnected between said bracket and said gauge supporting means, motormeans operatively coupled to said linkage means for indexing said gaugebetween workpiece engaging and disengaging positions, and spring meanscoupled with the arm biasing it to said at rest position.

8. The gauge support as defined in claim 7 characterized in that saidcam means comprises an elongate cam member adjustably mounted on saidarm having a concave cam surface extending generally axially of saidarm, and said piston rod having a roller rotatably mounted at its freeend for engagement with said cam surface on the cam member for shiftingthe arm upon actuation of said fluid pressure operated motor.

9. The gauge support as defined in claim 8 characterized in that saidcam member is pivotally mounted at one end on said arm and has a freeend, with adjustable stop means extending between said free end of thecam member and the arm to selectively vary the angular relationshipbetween the cam member and the arm, and spring means coupled to the cammember biasing it toward the arm.

10. The gauge support as defined in claim 7 characterized in that saidmotor means operatively coupled to said linkage means for swinging saidgauge comprises a pair of axially opposed fluid pressure operated motorseach including a cylinder and piston, and having a projecting pistonrod, with said piston rods being selectively engageable with a part onsaid linkage means to shift the part in opposite directions,

thereby indexing the gauge between said workpiece engaging anddisengaging positions.

11. A machine tool and gauge support therefor, wherein the machine toolhas workpiece holding means and a tool shiftable into and out ofengagement with said workpiece, comprising: a bracket fixedly mounted onthe machine tool, an arm pivotally coupled to said bracket at one endand having means at its opposite end for swingably supporting a gauge,cam means adjustably mounted on said arm intermediate its ends, a fluidpressure motor having a piston rod projecting into engagement with saidcam means for shifting the arm between and at rest position remote theworkpiece and a working position adjacent the workpiece upon actuationof said fluid pressure motor, a gauge supported at said opposite end ofsaid arm, linkage means connected between said bracket and said gaugesupporting means, a second motor operatively coupled to said linkagemeans for indexing said gauge between workpiece engaging and disengagingpositions, biasing means coupled with the arm biasing it to said at restposition, and control means connected to said machine tool and to bothof said motors and including means for sequentially governing theoperation of both of said motors in timed relationship with theoperation of said machine tool.

12. The machine tool and gauge support therefor as defined in claim 1 1characterized in that said control means comprises fluid pressureoperated valve means coupled to said motors and to said machine tool andactuatable in response to machine tool fluid pressure control variationsto sequentially actuate said motors.

13. The machine tool and gauge support therefor as defined in claim 12characterized in that said control means comprises a self-containedmanifold block having fluid conducting passageways and ports therein,with said fluid pressure operated valves disposed within the block, saidmanifold block being removably mounted on said bracket.

* k k t III

1. A gauge support for a machine tool having a tool engageable with aworkpiece, comprising: an elongate arm pivotally connectable to themachine tool adjacent one end thereof and supporting a gauge at itsopposite end for swingable movement toward and away from said workpiece,fluid pressure operated motor means to swing the arm toward theworkpiece, said motor means including a cylinder and piston having apiston rod projecting into engagement with the arm to shift the sameupon extension of the piston rod, and spring means coupled with the armbiasing it to a position away from the workpiece.
 2. The gauge supportas defined in claim 1 characterized in that said motor means comprises adouble acting cylinder and piston with its piston rod extensible toshift said arm and retractable to permit return of the arm under theforce of said spring means.
 3. The gauge support as defined in claim 1characterized in that cam means is positioned on said arm, and saidpiston rod carries a roller at its outer end engaging said cam means toshift the arm toward a workpiece.
 4. The gauge support as defined inclaim 3 characterized in that said cam means is adjustable with respectto said arm for varying the relative positions of said arm and pistonrod when the motor means is at its limits of travel.
 5. The gaugesupport as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said cam meanscomprises an elongate cam member pivotally connected at one end to saidarm having adjustable stop means at its opposite end for selectivelyvarying the position of the cam member with respect to the arm.
 6. Thegauge support as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said fluidpressure cylinder includes adjustable throttle valve means coupledthereto for selectively varying the rate of fluid flow to thereby varythe rate of movement of said arm.
 7. An automatic gauge support for amachine tool having workpiece holding means and a tool shiftable intoand out of engagement with the workpiece, comprising: a bracket adaptedto be fixedly mounted on the machine tool, an arm pivotally coupled tosaid bracket at one end and having means at its opposite end forswingably supporting a gauge, cam means adjustably mounted on said armintermediate its ends, a fluid pressure operated motor including acylinder and piston having a piston rod projecting into engagement withsaid cam means for shifting the arm between an at rest position remotethe workpiece and a working position adjacent the workpiece uponactuation of said fluid pressure operated motor, a gauge supported atsaid opposite end of said arm, linkage means connected between saidbracket and said gauge supporting means, motor means operatively coupledto said linkage means for indexing said gauge between workpiece engagingand disengaging positions, and spring means coupled with the arm biasingit to said aT rest position.
 8. The gauge support as defined in claim 7characterized in that said cam means comprises an elongate cam memberadjustably mounted on said arm having a concave cam surface extendinggenerally axially of said arm, and said piston rod having a rollerrotatably mounted at its free end for engagement with said cam surfaceon the cam member for shifting the arm upon actuation of said fluidpressure operated motor.
 9. The gauge support as defined in claim 8characterized in that said cam member is pivotally mounted at one end onsaid arm and has a free end, with adjustable stop means extendingbetween said free end of the cam member and the arm to selectively varythe angular relationship between the cam member and the arm, and springmeans coupled to the cam member biasing it toward the arm.
 10. The gaugesupport as defined in claim 7 characterized in that said motor meansoperatively coupled to said linkage means for swinging said gaugecomprises a pair of axially opposed fluid pressure operated motors eachincluding a cylinder and piston, and having a projecting piston rod,with said piston rods being selectively engageable with a part on saidlinkage means to shift the part in opposite directions, thereby indexingthe gauge between said workpiece engaging and disengaging positions. 11.A machine tool and gauge support therefor, wherein the machine tool hasworkpiece holding means and a tool shiftable into and out of engagementwith said workpiece, comprising: a bracket fixedly mounted on themachine tool, an arm pivotally coupled to said bracket at one end andhaving means at its opposite end for swingably supporting a gauge, cammeans adjustably mounted on said arm intermediate its ends, a fluidpressure motor having a piston rod projecting into engagement with saidcam means for shifting the arm between and at rest position remote theworkpiece and a working position adjacent the workpiece upon actuationof said fluid pressure motor, a gauge supported at said opposite end ofsaid arm, linkage means connected between said bracket and said gaugesupporting means, a second motor operatively coupled to said linkagemeans for indexing said gauge between workpiece engaging and disengagingpositions, biasing means coupled with the arm biasing it to said at restposition, and control means connected to said machine tool and to bothof said motors and including means for sequentially governing theoperation of both of said motors in timed relationship with theoperation of said machine tool.
 12. The machine tool and gauge supporttherefor as defined in claim 11 characterized in that said control meanscomprises fluid pressure operated valve means coupled to said motors andto said machine tool and actuatable in response to machine tool fluidpressure control variations to sequentially actuate said motors.
 13. Themachine tool and gauge support therefor as defined in claim 12characterized in that said control means comprises a self-containedmanifold block having fluid conducting passageways and ports therein,with said fluid pressure operated valves disposed within the block, saidmanifold block being removably mounted on said bracket.